Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr. Secures Debut Victory in Professional Boxing

In his second bout, the 25-year-old Filipino faced American boxer Derrick Gates, who holds a record of 0-2. The match took place in Temecula, California, at the prestigious Pechanga Resort & Casino, under the banner of Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

The fight turned out to be quite one-sided. Pacquiao sent his opponent to the canvas twice in the second round, prompting the referee to stop the contest and declare Emmanuel the winner by technical knockout. This victory marks a significant milestone in the young boxer's career as he strives to follow in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

Following the conclusion of the fight, his parents entered the ring. Manny Pacquiao, a former world champion in eight weight classes, expressed his pride in his son, stating, 'Good job.' Emmanuel's mother also could not contain her emotions, adding, 'I am proud of you; you are amazing.'

This bout was Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr.'s second in his professional career. He previously fought in November of last year, ending in a draw against newcomer Brendan Lally. Although that experience did not result in a victory, it was an important step in his preparation for future fights.

Meanwhile, his father, Manny Pacquiao, is actively preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, set to take place in the near future. In 2015, Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in Las Vegas by unanimous decision in a match dubbed 'The Fight of the Century.' This bout set numerous records, generating $72.2 million in ticket sales, with total revenue exceeding $600 million.

Floyd Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in August 2017 after defeating former UFC champion Conor McGregor by technical knockout, remains an undefeated boxer. Since retiring, Mayweather has frequently participated in exhibition matches, and besides his fight with Pacquiao, he has several other bouts lined up, including against the legendary Mike Tyson and kickboxer Mike Zambidis.

Manny Pacquiao made his return to the ring in 2025 after a four-year hiatus, finishing a match in a draw against Mario Barrios. Recently, Mayweather referred to their upcoming rematch as an exhibition, while Pacquiao insisted that he desires only a professional bout. It has also been reported that Mayweather has been required to undergo medical examinations ahead of this highly anticipated rematch with Pacquiao.